Genesis 18:33

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And the LORD went his way, as soon as he had left communing with Abraham: and Abraham returned unto his place.

Complete Jewish Bible:

ADONAI went on his way as soon as he had finished speaking to Avraham, and Avraham returned to his place.

Berean Standard Bible:

When the LORD had finished speaking with Abraham, He departed, and Abraham returned home.

American Standard Version:

And Jehovah went his way, as soon as he had left off communing with Abraham: and Abraham returned unto his place.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And the LORD{H3068} went his way{H3212}, as soon as{H834} he had left{H3615} communing{H1696} with Abraham{H85}: and Abraham{H85} returned{H7725} unto his place{H4725}.

Cross-References (KJV):

Genesis 18:22

  • And the men turned their faces from thence, and went toward Sodom: but Abraham stood yet before the LORD.

Genesis 32:26

  • And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me.

Genesis 31:55

  • And early in the morning Laban rose up, and kissed his sons and his daughters, and blessed them: and Laban departed, and returned unto his place.

Genesis 18:16

  • ¶ And the men rose up from thence, and looked toward Sodom: and Abraham went with them to bring them on the way.

Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:


Commentary for Genesis 18:33

Genesis 18:33 is part of a narrative in the book of Genesis that describes a visitation of the LORD, accompanied by two angels, to Abraham. This event is significant as it is one of the theophanies in the Old Testament, where God appears in a human-like form. The chapter depicts a conversation between Abraham and the LORD, where Abraham intercedes for the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, famously bargaining with God to spare the cities if a certain number of righteous people could be found within them.

In the verse itself, "And the LORD went his way, as soon as he had left communing with Abraham: and Abraham returned unto his place," we see the conclusion of this divine encounter. The LORD has finished speaking with Abraham and departs, while Abraham returns to his daily life. This verse highlights several key themes:

1. **Divine-Human Interaction**: It illustrates the unique relationship between God and Abraham, characterized by hospitality and open dialogue. Abraham's role as the father of faith is underscored by his boldness in negotiating with God.

2. **Intercession**: Abraham's role as an intercessor is a model for prayer and advocacy. His plea for Sodom and Gomorrah demonstrates a concern for justice and mercy, even for the wicked.

3. **God's Immanence and Transcendence**: The narrative shows God's willingness to engage with humanity on a personal level, while also emphasizing His sovereignty as He concludes the conversation and moves on.

4. **Moral Governance**: The conversation between God and Abraham touches on the principles of divine judgment and the moral order of the world, as God considers the fate of the cities based on the presence of righteous individuals.

5. **Transition to Judgment**: This verse serves as a transition point in the narrative, moving from divine deliberation to the execution of judgment, which unfolds in the subsequent chapters with the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.

Historically, this passage reflects ancient Near Eastern customs of hospitality and the cultural norms of bargaining or negotiating. It also sets a foundation for understanding the character of God as revealed to the patriarchs, which would influence the theological development of the Abrahamic religions—Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. The themes of this verse continue to resonate with readers as they consider the nature of prayer, the character of God, and the responsibilities of the faithful.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

  1. Strong's Number: H3068
    There are 5521 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: יְהֹוָה
    Transliteration: Yᵉhôvâh
    Pronunciation: yeh-ho-vaw'
    Description: from הָיָה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יָהּ, יְהֹוִה.
  2. Strong's Number: H3212
    There are 938 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: יָלַךְ
    Transliteration: yâlak
    Pronunciation: yaw-lak'
    Description: a primitive root (compare הָלַךְ); to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses); [idiom] again, away, bear, bring, carry (away), come (away), depart, flow, [phrase] follow(-ing), get (away, hence, him), (cause to, made) go (away, -ing, -ne, one's way, out), grow, lead (forth), let down, march, prosper, [phrase] pursue, cause to run, spread, take away (-journey), vanish, (cause to) walk(-ing), wax, [idiom] be weak.
  3. Strong's Number: H834
    There are 220 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: אֲשֶׁר
    Transliteration: ʼăsher
    Pronunciation: ash-er'
    Description: a primitive relative pronoun (of every gender and number); who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.; [idiom] after, [idiom] alike, as (soon as), because, [idiom] every, for, [phrase] forasmuch, [phrase] from whence, [phrase] how(-soever), [idiom] if, (so) that ((thing) which, wherein), [idiom] though, [phrase] until, [phrase] whatsoever, when, where ([phrase] -as, -in, -of, -on, -soever, -with), which, whilst, [phrase] whither(-soever), who(-m, -soever, -se). As it is indeclinable, it is often accompanied by the personal pronoun expletively, used to show the connection.
  4. Strong's Number: H3615
    There are 200 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: כָּלָה
    Transliteration: kâlâh
    Pronunciation: kaw-law'
    Description: a primitive root; to end, whether intransitive (to cease, be finished, perish) or transitived (to complete, prepare, consume); accomplish, cease, consume (away), determine, destroy (utterly), be (when... were) done, (be an) end (of), expire, (cause to) fail, faint, finish, fulfil, [idiom] fully, [idiom] have, leave (off), long, bring to pass, wholly reap, make clean riddance, spend, quite take away, waste.
  5. Strong's Number: H1696
    There are 1050 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: דָבַר
    Transliteration: dâbar
    Pronunciation: daw-bar'
    Description: a primitive root; perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue; answer, appoint, bid, command, commune, declare, destroy, give, name, promise, pronounce, rehearse, say, speak, be spokesman, subdue, talk, teach, tell, think, use (entreaties), utter, [idiom] well, [idiom] work.
  6. Strong's Number: H85
    There are 1159 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: אַבְרָהָם
    Transliteration: ʼAbrâhâm
    Pronunciation: ab-raw-hawm'
    Description: contracted from אָב and an unused root (probably meaning to be populous); father of a multitude; Abraham, the later name of Abram; Abraham.
  7. Strong's Number: H7725
    There are 952 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: שׁוּב
    Transliteration: shûwb
    Pronunciation: shoob
    Description: a primitive root; to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point); generally to retreat; often adverbial, again; ((break, build, circumcise, dig, do anything, do evil, feed, lay down, lie down, lodge, make, rejoice, send, take, weep)) [idiom] again, (cause to) answer ([phrase] again), [idiom] in any case (wise), [idiom] at all, averse, bring (again, back, home again), call (to mind), carry again (back), cease, [idiom] certainly, come again (back), [idiom] consider, [phrase] continually, convert, deliver (again), [phrase] deny, draw back, fetch home again, [idiom] fro, get (oneself) (back) again, [idiom] give (again), go again (back, home), (go) out, hinder, let, (see) more, [idiom] needs, be past, [idiom] pay, pervert, pull in again, put (again, up again), recall, recompense, recover, refresh, relieve, render (again), requite, rescue, restore, retrieve, (cause to, make to) return, reverse, reward, [phrase] say nay, send back, set again, slide back, still, [idiom] surely, take back (off), (cause to, make to) turn (again, self again, away, back, back again, backward, from, off), withdraw.
  8. Strong's Number: H4725
    There are 379 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: מָקוֹם
    Transliteration: mâqôwm
    Pronunciation: maw-kome'
    Description: or מָקֹם; also (feminine) מְקוֹמָה; or מְקֹמָה; from קוּם; properly, a standing, i.e. a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind); country, [idiom] home, [idiom] open, place, room, space, [idiom] whither(-soever).